Manipur enter Finals of National Football Championship for Women

AIFF PRESS RELEASE - 13.01.2016 : Defending Champions Manipur breezed into the Finals of the National Football Champions for Women’s as they defeated Haryana 4-2 in the semi-finals of the Tournament today (January 13, 2016) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.A hattrick by AIFF Player of the Year 2015 Bala Devi, after Bembem Devi put Manipur ahead when she converted from the spot kick, led Manipur to an easy win over opponents Haryana, who tried to mount a late comeback in the game.

In the early minutes of the first half itself, Bala Devi was handed with an opportunity to open the goal-scoring tally, after Prameshwori Devi put her onto goal. Bala however failed to apply the finishing touch as the attacking move went abegging of the dividends.Committing bodies in attack, the Manipuri Team fostered opportunities at will. Grace released Bala onto goal, but the latter unable to out-manouvere the Haryana defence line, could only rattle the woodwork with her venomous shot.

Although Haryana were pinned in their own half, their best opportunity came in the 16th minute when Sanju steered clear of the Manipuri defence line, only for Panthoi to thwart her shot with ease.The breakthrough for Manipur came in the 18th minute when the legendary Bembem Devi scored from the penalty kick to hand Manipur a 1-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, AIFF Player of the Year 2015, Bala Devi put Manipur in the driving seat as she slotted her opportunity home following a Bembem corner to give the defending Champions as 2-0 lead.Even in the dying embers of the match Bala was awarded with an opportunity to make it 3-0, but she failed to make contact with an essayed in Grace cross. The half-time scoreline read 2-0.

Changing over and Haryana tried to jot down some attacking moves of their own, although the necessary penetration needed to score a goal went missing. And in the 55th minute, Manipur put the complexion of the game without doubt as Bala Devi netted her second of the match to give Manipur a 3-0 lead.Shortly after, the AIFF Player of the Year 2015 completed her hattrick and gave Manipur a 4-0 lead.

Even in the dying embers of the match, Manipur pressed for a goal. In the 81st minute, Grace released Bala Devi onto goal with a well weighted through ball, the latter however un-leased a curler which went inches wide of the post.Shortly after, Haryana minimized their deficit through Sanju, against the run of play, to make the score-line 4-1. In the 86th minute, Kavita Devi netted another for Haryana to make it 4-2.The late comeback for Haryana however was short-lived as time remained their enemy and at the end of time the score-line read 4-2 in favour of Manipur.

Railways advance to the finals of National Football Championship

AIFF PRESS RELEASE - 13.01.2016 : Railways booked a place in the Finals of the 21st Senior Women’s National Football Championship today (January 13, 2016) after they tamed Odisha 4-0 in the Semi-finals in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
A brace from Manpreet Kaur and strikes from Kamala Devi and Ngoubi Devi were enough to secure the deal for Railways.

The floodgates opened in the 18th minute, when Kamala Devi burst clear of her marking defender and latched onto a through ball by Manpreet Kaur. Kamala could do no wrong as she blasted her opportunity home to make it 1-0 for Railways.Shortly after, Manpreet was awarded with an opportunity to double Railway’s lead but her shot went over the bar.

The best chance for Odisha came in the 28th minute when a quick passing move released Sakina in on goal. Sakina unable to crave her way past the onrushing custodian could only rattle the woodwork.With Odisha trying to press for an equalizer, Railways decided to play safe and the half-time scoreline read 1-0.

Changing over and both Teams entwined in a battle for possession as both sets of Players tried to outsmart their opponents with clever one touch moves.The gradual victors, Railways, were a class apart however. And in the 69th minute, Manpreet Kaur tapped home a Kamala Devi cross from the right flank to give Railways a two goal lead.Shortly after, Manpreet scored her second of the match to make it 3-0.

In the dying embers of the match, Ngoubi Devi toe poked her chance home to give Railways an unassailable 4-0 lead. Odisha tried to jot down some attacking moves in dying embers of the match, but the Railway defence line thwarted all attacks with sheer acumen, as the full-time scoreline read 4-0. Railways will now clash swords against Manipur in the finals of the Tournament on January 15, 2016 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The kick-off for which is at 2:30 PM IST.

ARUN GHOSE TO INAUGURATE EAST BENGAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY

13.01.2016 :East Bengal Club to inaugurate a Residential Football Academy on the 16th of January. Arun Ghose, the ex international footballer will going to inaugurate the Football Academy in presence of Bhaichung Bhutia, Bruno Cutino, I.M.Vijayan and Kuljit Singh. East Bengal signs a deal with the wing back Narayan Das of Dempo Sports Club for three years. Narayan was a member of the SAAF Cup and FC Goa in the Indian Super League.

I LEAGUE MATCH AT KOLKATA MAIDAN 13.01.2016 :Mohammedan Sporting Club will play the home match against Neroca FC on the 16th of January at their own home ground at Kolkata maidan. Though it is a second division match, but this is the first occasion when a I League match to be played at Kolkata maidan. The match was schedule at Barasat stadium, but the venew shifted to Kolkata because the match between Mohun Bagan and SalgaocarFC transferred from Yubabhrati Kriangan to Barasat stadium.

RUPERT NONGRUM OF SHILLONG LAJONG WIN YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD

13.01.2016 :Shillong Lajong FC's youth academy footballer Rupert Nongrum awarded with Dalmia Cement Young Achievers Award from the stated of Meghalaya. Rupert is a young midfielder joined the Academy in the year 2009 was a member of the Shillong Lajong U-15 team that won Manchester United Premier Cup in January 2010.